Buried in the monstrous new press release on the new F10 M5, we noticed an interesting new feature called "Active Sound Design."

Behind this marketing term is a fairly simple idea. The new M5 reproduces the car's engine sound via the in-car audio system. In other word, if you're sitting inside the car you not only hear the engine coming from outside, but also an audio track of the engine based on throttle input, speed, and engine revs. As BMW puts it, this makes for better feedback as you hear exactly what the engine is doing. Another obvious benefit is that it allows to change the noise levels based on your driving behaviour as the reproduction by the audio system gets louder and more intense in Sport and Sport+ settings.

You can hear the Active Sound Design feature in action at these recent M5 in-car videos:

M5 drivers will be given an even more direct reminder of their car’s performance capability by technology that brings the distinctive sound of the high-performance V8 – in all its glory – into the cabin of the new BMW M5. The Active Sound Design technology specially developed for the new BMW M5 takes its cues from the driving situation at any one time to deliver an accurate reproduction of the engine’s sound through the car’s audio system. The system’s digital signal processing exchanges data directly with the engine management, allowing it to reflect the engine’s revs and torque, and the car’s speed over the road. The result over a smoothly driven journey is a discreet soundtrack in keeping with the harmonious and assured characteristics of the V8 powerplant. A stamp on the accelerator, meanwhile, prompts an immediate audible response to match the instantaneous – and typically M – burst of power from beneath the bonnet.

In generating its signals, Active Sound Design takes its cues from the firing sequence of the eight-cylinder engine and the frequency range of the exhaust system. This gives the driver an extremely accurate impression of current engine load and an even more intense sensation of the V8’s high-performance characteristics. At the same time the Active Sound Design control unit ensures an even spread of sound across all five seats of the new BMW M5, while observing the legal guidelines governing noise emissions inside and outside the car. The characteristics of the sound produced by the technology also adjust to the engine settings selected by the driver. For example, switching to “Sport” or “Sport+” mode sharpens not only the engine’s responsiveness but also the acoustic experience inside the car.

What? I make the active sounds in my car not the speaker!!! VRRRRRRRrrroooooom Wooosh Vrrooooom Wooooosh! See?!! I now have a turbo and blow off valve. Check it. VrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRR(VTEC)oooom. Now I have VTEC.

If they get the sound right than I see this as an absolute marvel. You could enjoy the "exhaust and engine note" nice and loud in the car where you want to hear it without bothering cops and people on the outside. If they truly get the note right and it sounds identical to the true engine and exhaust than I think its a nifty feataure.

I was drawn to BMW M because it was engineering pushing the boundaries of what was possible in a production car. This "active sound" seems to be sending a message that there has been a definite shift in focus and this saddens me to no end.